These last three weeks, when we go to Spain – as we do every January – to catch up with the Catalan family and dodge the English winter, have not gone according to plan. The weather was just as awful in Spain as it apparently was in England, and all those named storms spread themselves liberally about, making sure nobody was spared. So our plan to have a final week driving home in a leisurely fashion, exploring Spanish towns we haven’t so far visited just got junked. We stayed on with the family and cleared out cupboards for them.
You’ve seen what the drive home was like. Here are a few shots from our very last stop-over, in Amboise, a charming historic town on the River Loire with a glorious Royal Château. It managed not to rain, but goodness, it was cold! We’ve promised ourselves we’ll go back, when the weather’s kinder, and when we haven’t got a ferry to catch later in the day. Here’s a taster:
Here are three shots of the Château: well, one’s of a perching pigeon really, and one of the town gates. The featured photo is of the Château too, dominating the riverscape as night fell and the full moon pierced the misty night sky.
In my shallow way though, I’m also going to show you a window display that caught our eye. It’s just the kind of shop you need if you require a suit of armour, a sword or two, or some sexy underwear for a half-sized doll.
For Leanne’s Monochrome Madness.
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
You know France so much better than me, Margaret. I have to consult Google maps. It’s a nice looking chateau, but a January ‘holiday’ always comes with risks. I’m sorry that this one didn’t go so well, and hope you’re all feeling in fine fettle for Spring. I’m sure it’ll be along soon xx
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We’ve been lucky so far. January holidays in Spain have been our ‘thing’ for several years and this is our first failure. Not bad odds.
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Ah, Amboise… long time since I went there. Your first night shot looks most impressive, and you have shown off French twee with the Tapisserie window display and your description of same!
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Gosh this brings back memories to our first holiday to France in about 1985. We saw the chateau as we drove through on our way somewhere else. Always meant to return to actually visit the place but somehow it hasn’t happened yet
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We’ll have to have a Bloggers’ Trip!
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At least you found something to smile about, Margaret. That shop window is a riot!
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Absolutely! What exactly do they sell on a day-to-day basis?
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Glad you managed to make good use of your final week and managed at least one fine(ish) day on the way home.
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Humph. ‘Fine(ish)’ is relative. We had to be Awfully British to venture forth.
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Stiff upper lips and waterproofs?
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Absolutely! Backbone required.
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The chateau in the first image looks quite a bit like the one in Quebec City. Or maybe the one in Quebec looks like this one in France!
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Here’s what AI, Google style, told me: ‘The Château Frontenac in Quebec City is not directly modeled on the Château d’Amboise, but rather is designed in the “Châteauesque” style inspired by the broader, picturesque 15th- and 16th-century châteaux of France’s Loire Valley. Architect Bruce Price created the design in the 1890s, using steep roofs, turrets, and towers, which evoke a general romantic, medieval French feel rather than a specific copy of Amboise’
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Very cool.
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